How to remove fleas from the house and from pets? - briefly
Treat pets with a veterinary‑approved flea medication and wash all bedding in hot water, while vacuuming, steam‑cleaning carpets, and applying an EPA‑registered indoor flea spray. Repeat these steps weekly for four weeks to interrupt the flea life cycle.
How to remove fleas from the house and from pets? - in detail
Flea control requires simultaneous treatment of the environment and the animal host. Ignoring either side allows the insects to survive and re‑infest.
Begin with the pet. Bathe the animal with a veterinary‑approved flea shampoo, following the label’s contact time. Rinse thoroughly and dry. Apply a topical adulticide (e.g., fipronil, imidacloprid, or selamectin) to the skin at the base of the neck, ensuring even distribution. For severe cases, consider an oral adulticide (e.g., nitenpyram or spinosad) that kills adult fleas within hours. Repeat the topical or oral dose according to the product’s schedule, typically every 30 days, to break the life cycle.
Treat the home concurrently. Follow these steps:
- Vacuum all carpeted areas, rugs, and upholstery. Immediately empty the canister or bag into a sealed bag and discard it outside the house.
- Wash bedding, blankets, and removable covers in hot water (≥ 60 °C) and dry on high heat for at least 30 minutes.
- Apply a flea spray or fogger containing an insect growth regulator (IGR) such as methoprene or pyriproxyfen to cracks, baseboards, under furniture, and pet sleeping areas. Ensure proper ventilation during and after application.
- Use a steam cleaner on carpets and upholstery; steam temperatures above 100 °C kill all life stages of the flea.
- Treat pet carriers, crates, and cages with a residual insecticide labeled for indoor use.
Maintain a preventive routine. Administer monthly preventatives to the animal, keep bedding clean, and vacuum weekly. Monitor for fleas by checking the pet’s coat and using a flea comb at least twice a week. If any adult fleas are detected, repeat the environmental treatment within 7 days to target emerging adults from eggs already present.
By addressing both the host and the habitat with overlapping chemical and mechanical actions, the flea population can be eliminated within 2–3 weeks, preventing further reproduction and ensuring long‑term protection.